What is a Custom QR Code?

A custom QR code is a QR code that consists of a branded design. The crucial point is to design a QR code that is modified according to the marketing needs of the individual and company but does not intervene with the scannability of the design. Users have the option to customize such elements of the QR code design, like the color, pattern, and brand logo. Customized QR codes, in general, are beneficial tools to connect a brand’s offline presence to its online presence.

Making a personalized QR code ensures that viewers notice and remember the company, helping raise brand awareness. It is essential to remember the standards and best practices associated with QR codes when designing a personalized QR code, as over-customizing it leads to technical issues. A plain black and white QR code is now being replaced by a customizable QR code, which most companies are opting for nowadays.

What is a Branded QR Code?

A branded QR code is a QR code that is specifically designed to portray a brand’s image. Brands have the chance to fully personalize their QR design by changing and modifying the main aspects of the QR code, including the pattern and edges. The edges have the capacity to be made circular or oval. The pattern of the QR code design is capable of being turned into hearts, stars, circles, sparkles, and so on. The aforementioned practice allows the QR design to better align with the brand image and the marketing campaign.

A stylized QR code looks professional and seamlessly blends with a company’s packaging and other printed material. It creates a sense of trust as designed QR codes are complex to counterfeit, incorporating the brand’s unique domain and assuring consumers that it is safe to interact with the code. A creative QR code design helps consumers quickly identify and recognize a brand and company.

What is the Difference between a Custom QR Code and a Regular QR Code?

A regular QR code is a plain, black-and-white QR code that includes no personalized touches. A custom QR code, on the other hand, allows to customize the QR code by selecting brand colors, adding the brand logo, and including an elastic QR code sticker with a special CTA caption. Custom design QR codes offer a competitive advantage over regular QR codes. Custom design QR codes have become the go-to choice for top global brands like Coca-Cola and Starbucks.

How to Design a QR Code

To design a QR code, follow the instructions provided.

1. Go to QR Code Creator.

Select the necessary QR code type. A wide selection of dynamic and static QR codes allows users to choose the right one for their marketing campaign. Dynamic QR codes allow users to track the number of scans and other valuable information, such as the location and time of scans. They permit users to edit and change the destination without changing the pattern of the custom QR code design.

 2. Add necessary information.

Fill in the essential data after choosing the QR code type. The information needed, like the name of the decorative QR code and the destination it leads to after being scanned, depends on the QR code selected.

3. Customize the QR code.

Edit the custom QR code design according to the marketing needs. Users have the option to change the edges of the QR code, add logos, change color schemes, and so on. Consider using unique shapes to make the custom QR code design stand out. Based on the occasion, a different and unique QR code design and shapes are used to catch the viewers’ attention.

4. Use a QR code frame.

Incorporating a sticker in the custom QR code design creates a more personalized QR code and helps it stand out, attract more attention, and keep the quiet zone, allowing phones to quickly scan the code. Different sticker types have the capacity to be added with colors that better reflect the brand and personal taste. A call-to-action has the capability to be added, with users having the chance to change the caption and encourage more scans. A strong verb like “scan,” “get,” etc., is used.

5. Reshape the edges.

The edges of the unique QR code design, sometimes referred to as the eyes of the code, have the capacity to be changed using different options provided by QR Code Creator. Such practice does not drastically alter the edges, meaning the QR code design still works without issues after the change. There are several shapes available, like more circular and oval options.

6. Customize the colors.

Black and white QR codes are considered basic and generic. Adding a pop of color changes the situation, making the QR design more visually appealing. Users have the option to change the QR code’s pattern and edge color to match the brand and marketing campaign coloring scheme. Colors have the capability to be solid or gradient, and using a transparent background is allowed. The color of the entire QR code design has the potential to be changed, as well as just certain parts and elements of it, like the patterns, etc. Selecting an interesting color scheme allows for more attention to be drawn to the QR design. Read our related blog for tips on how to make colored QR codes.

7. Align contrast.

Some customized QR codes are unscannable when their color and the color of the background match and are way too similar. Faded and monochromatic colors cause issues, making it difficult for users to scan the code accurately. It is essential to ensure a stark contrast between the QR code's foreground and its background. Avoid inverting the colors of the QR code design; ensure that the foreground is dark while the background is light, as not all scanners easily read an inverted QR code design.

8. Include a logo.

Adding a logo is a great way to increase the number of eyeballs on the QR code, encouraging more people to scan it. The logo appears in the center of the QR code design if the creator chooses to add one. Logos allow users to understand what to expect when they scan a code. Make sure the code is high quality and a simple image, but using more complicated imagery makes it look blurry. The logo is placed in the middle of the QR code design to ensure the pattern stays intact. The added logo does not necessarily have to be the brand logo; using the logo of various social media companies is allowed, letting the users know that the stylized QR code takes them to the social media page once scanned. Visit our related blog about a QR code with a logo to learn more about best practices for adding logos.

9. Maintain original symmetry.

Stretching the QR design makes it unscannable. It is recommended that the proportions of the custom QR code design are maintained the same to guarantee optimal functionality. Adjusting the size is acceptable, ensuring the square shape is reserved.

10. Apply appropriate sizing.

Use the appropriate size to grab viewers’ attention and ensure scannability. The right QR code size depends on the printing medium. It must be big enough to be scannable, as customized QR codes that are too small are unscannable.

11. Leave a quiet zone.

Customizing a QR code design is recommended only if the quiet zones remain untouched. The quiet zone is the empty margin around the QR code, separating the code from the rest of its surroundings.

12. Favorite the design.

Users have the chance to favorite the design for quick and easy access if the custom design is frequently used, so there is no need to always start from scratch. The indicated feature ensures all decorative QR codes stay consistent in design with matching color schemes, unique edges, brand logos, stickers, and CTA.

13. Utilize the QR code.

Incorporate the QR code design into the marketing campaign by adding it to the necessary promotional materials, such as billboards, posters, flyers, etc. Users have a chance to see how the finished product looks and add changes and adjustments as they design a QR code to ensure the QR code is scannable and customize the QR code.

QR Code Design Rules & Guidelines

QR code design rules & guidelines are listed below.

1. Use short links. It is best to keep URL links short if they are being used, especially in static QR codes. Short links allow for a less dense QR code design pattern, which is easier to scan.
2. Don’t over-customize the QR code. Adding too many details to the QR code hinders its scannability. Designed QR codes become undetectable when they are overcrowded with various elements.
3. Do not invert the QR code color. The background of the QR code must be lighter than its pattern color, as an inverted color scheme leads to technical issues.
4. Do not pair light colors. Colors in the custom QR code design must be contrasted to facilitate a seamless scanning experience. It is best to avoid mixing matching colors for the aforementioned reason.
5. Print in high quality. Print the QR code in a high-quality image file, like PNG, SVG, EPS, and PDF, to ensure the QR design is easily readable and avoid a pixilated image.
6. Maintain the square shape. The square shape allows the scanner (usually the phone camera) to properly read the data in the QR code. Avoid stretching the QR code design to the point where it is impossible to scan it.
7. Select appropriate sizing. Choosing the correct size ensures users don’t have any trouble when scanning the code, especially if the media is placed on prominent media forms, like billboards and TV screens. The printing resolution and placement of the material come into play here. The minimum recommended size is 2x2 cm (0.8x0.8 in). Place it somewhere where it’s visible.
8. Keep the quiet zone. The space around the QR code design is called the quiet space. The white area separates the QR code from other elements. It helps the QR code reader quickly identify a QR code. It is important to not overcrowd the quiet zone by adding too much data. Using a dynamic QR code ensures that no matter the amount of information being imputed, the decorative QR codes do not get cluttered.
9. Be informative. One of the main reasons a QR code gets a low number of scans is that users don’t have enough information about the code. Giving context of what to expect, for example, letting the audience know if they receive a freebie, discount code, additional information about the product and service, etc., which in return helps increase scan numbers.
10. Include a CTA. Add a CTA to pique the users’ interest and curiosity, catch their attention, and encourage them to engage with the stylized QR code.
11. Add value. Users are taking the time of the day to interact with a personalized QR code, so it is best to keep them satisfied by providing a discount code, exclusive offer, or additional details about the product and service.
12. Create a unique design. Adding a custom and unique design is recommended to ensure that users interact with the code, as it attracts more customers than a plain and straightforward black-and-white QR code. Things like a brand logo change the perception of the custom QR code design.
13. Use mobile-friendly content. Redirecting to pages and websites optimized for mobile use is essential since customized QR codes are mostly scanned on a mobile device.
14. Test the code. It is recommended that the custom design QR code be tested to ensure it still works correctly after customizing it before implementing the code for the marketing material. Some colors chosen cause difficulty when scanning, so using different phones and operating systems is essential during the testing process. There is no need to reprint the material in case of a mistake in a dynamic QR code, like a wrong link or destination. It is enough to change and edit the URL link.
15. Optimize the marketing campaign. Most of the QR codes on the QR Code Creator are dynamic, meaning they allow users to track the customers’ (scanners’) behavior, offering valuable insights later used to improve the marketing efforts.

Where to Use Custom QR Codes

Below are some examples of where custom QR codes are used.

• Billboard: Billboards easily capture the attention of passersby and stimulate them to scan the personalized QR code. It is essential to scale the code appropriately and make sure those passing by are able to scan the code without any issues.
• Restaurants and Cafes: Customized QR codes are used in the modern restaurant industry, allowing business owners to incorporate the decorative QR codes in multiple ways, like sharing social media handles and menus or allowing to leave ratings and reviews. Designed QR codes must be added in areas that are sure to be seen by customers.
• Brochures: Such printing material includes valuable information about a business, product, or event. Adding a creative QR code design to the brochure helps share additional information with the audience. Placing a stylized QR code on the brochure encompasses selecting the correct placement (it is best to avoid the edges of the pamphlet, and the readability of the code is being hindered) and ensuring the minimum size.
• Social Media: Utilizing customized QR codes in the social media marketing strategy effectively redirects users and increases engagement. Users have the opportunity to redirect to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and so much more when their audience interacts with the custom design QR code.
• Location: Location-based QR code designs are great for sharing necessary directions, landmarks, and leisure centers. Such a custom QR code design is created by entering the required address into the location field. These location QR codes are added to any print format, like flyers, brochures, etc. Adding a location logo in the center helps individuals understand that the QR design being scanned is location-based.
• Product Packaging: Adding a custom QR code on product packaging allows clients to be presented with product usage instructions and other helpful information.
• Events: Applying a custom QR code on marketing material is helpful because it allows for spreading the word about the product and service and allows for collaboration and networking.

What are the Benefits of Customizable QR Codes?

The benefits of customizable QR codes are listed below.

• Distinctiveness and uniqueness: The QR code goes from a dull, plain design to an eye-catching design, attracting more attention from users to the brand. Customizing the QR code helps stand out from competitors. It helps boost engagement and conversion rates.
• Brand recognition: Quick identification of a brand through its distinctive attributes contributes to brand recognition. Modifying the QR code design helps integrate the code into the marketing materials, including brand icons, logos, and color schemes, assisting users to connect with the brand easily and allows to create a more cohesive brand identity.
• Omnichannel analytics: Tracking analytics from different marketing channels becomes easy using one universal custom QR code.
• Low advertising costs: Designed QR codes allow cutting down on advertising expenses as QR codes have the capacity to be integrated into different media formats and marketing channels.
• Trackable data: Users have the ability to track several factors of their audience, such as the number of scans, location, device used to scan, and time scanned when using custom dynamic QR codes. Business owners then have the opportunity to adjust their marketing efforts based on the findings. Another idea is to use split A/B testing with custom and basic QR codes to see which ones perform better.
• Memorable campaigns: Crafting a custom QR code design ensures the audience resonates with the brand or personality, increasing the likelihood of campaign memorability. It enables the creation of visually attractive designs that captivate clients' attention.
• Increased engagement: A customized QR code creates a more engaging and interactive experience, helping to drive engagement, increase conversion rates, and boost sales.

Can QR Codes be Colored?

Yes, QR codes can be colored. QR codes primarily used to be black and white, making it easy for cameras and scanners to detect and read them. Nowadays, users have the option to fully customize their QR code designs based on their needs, allowing the codes to match the marketing materials and follow the creation direction without sacrificing functionality. Best color customization practices are recommended to ensure easy recognition and scannability.

Can a QR Code be Transparent?

Yes, a QR code can be transparent. A transparent QR code, also known as a PNG QR code, is a code with a transparent background that is easily created using QR Code Creator. It allows the creation of a custom QR code design that seamlessly integrates into the company’s design without making any stark contrast.